Ballistic protective clothing

ABSTRACT

Ballistic protective clothing can include elastically resilient material. Ballistic pads can be coupled with the material such that the pads are movable relative to each other. The pads can remain in an overlapping arrangement over large ranges of motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/553,846, filed Oct. 31, 2011, titled STRETCH PANTS WITH BALLISTIC PROTECTION, and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/327,703 filed Dec. 15, 2011, titled TACTICAL PANTS, which was published on Jun. 21, 2012 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0158041, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/423,537, filed Dec. 15, 2010, titled PANTS WITH HOLSTER, TOURNIQUET AND BALLISTIC RESISTANCE, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/493,867, filed Jun. 6, 2011, titled TACTICAL PANTS, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to clothing, such as pants or shorts, for use by individuals who may be exposed to ballistic projectiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of pants that can include one or more features for retaining a utility object (such as a firearm), protecting against ballistic projectiles, and/or reducing the effects of wounds sustained from ballistic projectiles or the like, wherein an embodiment of a utility compartment and embodiments of tourniquet covers are each shown in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the pants of FIG. 1, wherein the utility compartment and one of the tourniquet covers are each shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the pants of FIG. 1 showing an embodiment of a weight distributing system, wherein outer pants material is shown in broken lines to provide a view of an interior of the pants;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pants of FIG. 1, taken along the view line 4-4 in FIG. 1, which provides a further view of the weight distributing system;

FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view of an interior region of the pants of FIG. 1, wherein an embodiment of a longitudinal strap system is shown in a decoupled state;

FIG. 5B is further partial perspective view of the interior region of the pants of FIG. 1, wherein the longitudinal strap system is shown in a coupled state;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a utility module that includes two mounting brackets, which is compatible with the pants of FIG. 1, wherein the mounting brackets are shown in a coupled configuration;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the portion of the embodiment of a utility module of FIG. 6, wherein the mounting brackets are shown a coupled configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the mounting brackets of FIG. 6 shown decoupled from the other mounting bracket;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the other mounting bracket of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further portion of an embodiment of a utility module, such as that of FIG. 6, wherein an embodiment of a holster is securely attached to a mounting bracket such as that shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a firearm being positioned in the holster of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further portion of another embodiment of a utility module, such as that of FIG. 6, wherein an embodiment of a utility pouch is securely attached to a mounting bracket such as that shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lateral strap system, which is compatible with the pants of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lateral strap system, which is compatible with the pants of FIG. 1, wherein the lateral strap system includes a locking assembly;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the lateral strap system of FIG. 14, taken along the view line 15-15 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield that is configured to protect critical blood vessels of a wearer thereof;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 16 and the wearer thereof, taken along the view line 17-17 of FIG. 16, which further illustrates the trajectory of a projectile toward a critical blood vessel;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield that is configured to protect critical blood vessels of a wearer thereof;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of pants, such as the pants of FIG. 1, which include the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 18 incorporated therein;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the pants of FIG. 19 taken along the view line 20-20 in FIG. 19, which further illustrates the trajectory of a projectile toward a critical blood vessel;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield that is configured to protect critical blood vessels of a wearer thereof;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of pants, such as the pants of FIG. 1, which include the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 21 incorporated therein;

FIG. 23A is a partial cross-sectional view of the pants of FIG. 22 taken along the view line 23A-23A in FIG. 22;

FIG. 23B is a partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 21 taken along the view line 23B-23B in FIG. 21, which depicts an embodiment of a composite material;

FIG. 24 is a partial front elevation view of the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 21, which depicts a stitching pattern;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view thereof taken along the view line 25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield that is configured to protect critical blood vessels of a wearer thereof, wherein the ballistic-resistant shield includes mobility seams that are configured to increase mobility of a wearer of the ballistic-resistant shield;

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 26 taken along the view line 27-27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is another partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic-resistant shield of FIG. 26 taken along the view line 28-28 in FIG. 26, which depicts a portion of an embodiment of a mobility seam;

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts a portion of another embodiment of a mobility seam;

FIG. 30 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts a portion of another embodiment of a mobility seam;

FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts a portion of another embodiment of a mobility seam;

FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts a portion of another embodiment of a mobility seam

FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts portions of additional embodiments of mobility seams;

FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield, such as the view depicted in FIG. 28, which depicts portions of additional embodiments of mobility seams;

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield that includes kinetic panels;

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of the ballistic-resistant shield and a kinetic panel taken along the view line 36-36 in FIG. 35, which further illustrates the trajectory of a projectile toward a critical blood vessel;

FIGS. 37A-37E are front perspective views of another embodiment of pants, such as the pants of FIG. 1, that includes a tourniquet member, wherein the various views illustrate various stages in a method of utilizing the tourniquet;

FIG. 38 is a front elevation view of a person wearing a ballistic protective garment to protect critical blood vessels;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 38 illustrating that the garment is configured to maintain ballistic protective layers close to the skin of a wearer;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 38 as positioned on a leg of the wearer taken along the view line 40-40, wherein a stretching fabric with overlapping pockets containing ballistic pads of ballistic resistant material laminates are shown, and wherein a projectile that is directed towards a critical blood vessel is also shown;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 38 showing pockets with certain ballistic-resistant pads being partially inserted;

FIG. 42A is a partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 38 taken generally along the view line 42A-42A in FIG. 41, which illustrates overlapping ballistic pads contained in pockets on alternate sides of a stretchable material that is in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 42B is a partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 42A illustrating overlapping ballistic pads contained in pockets on alternate sides of a stretchable material that is in a stretched condition;

FIG. 43A is a partial cross sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic protective garment, which view is similar to that of FIG. 42A; the ballistic protective garment includes an attachment feature that connects the ballistic pad with the stretchable material, wherein the stretchable material is show in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 43B is a partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 43A, which view is similar to that of FIG. 42B, wherein the stretchable material is shown in a stretched condition;

FIG. 44A is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a ballistic protective garment, which view is similar to that of FIG. 42A; the ballistic protective garment includes overlapping ballistic pads that are contained in pockets that are on the same side of a stretchable material, wherein the stretchable material is shown in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 44B is a partial cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 44A, which view is similar to that of FIG. 42B, wherein the stretchable material is shown in a stretched condition;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic protective garment or stretch pant incorporating kinetic pads that are positioned into pockets of the garment;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective garment of FIG. 45 taken along the view line 46-46, which shows a leg of the person that is wearing the ballistic protective stretch pant, and also shows a projectile directed towards a critical blood vessel.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a ballistic protective garment similar to the view shown in FIG. 46, wherein the protective garment is less capable of stretching with movements of the leg of the wearer; and

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a ballistic protective garment that includes overlapping ballistic pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of pants are disclosed herein, which can include one or more features for retaining a utility object (such as a firearm), protecting against ballistic projectiles, and/or reducing the effects of wounds sustained from ballistic projectiles or the like. The pants can be desirable in a variety of contexts, such as, for example, tactical or combat situations. Although discussion of many of the embodiments herein is provided in such tactical situations, it should be understood that the pants may be used in other environments. For example, the pants may be used by police or other government personnel who regularly carry firearms and/or who may be at a heightened risk of experiencing gunfire or other ballistic projectiles. Accordingly, use of the word “tactical” is by way of illustration, and is not intended to be limiting.

One of more of the features discussed herein may be used in various embodiments of pants or other garments. Some of the advantages of various features, are specifically discussed hereafter, while other or further advantages can be appreciated from the present disclosure.

For example, certain tactical pants can be worn over the lower torso and leg region of the wearer. In various embodiments, the tactical pants can have pockets that can be sized for holding a handgun holster or similarly sized utility object. Weight from the utility object can be transferred to the thigh and/or the waist of the wearer by a harness or weight distribution system, which can significantly limit the amount of weight that is transferred through the visible fabric of the pants. In some instances, such weight distribution systems can conceal from an observer that the wearer is carrying a weapon. In other or further instances, a weight distribution system can increase the comfort of carrying the weapon within the pants. In still other or further instances, the weight distribution can prevent wearing of the visible portions of the fabric.

In other or further embodiments, a ballistic protective armor, or ballistic-resistant shield, can also be coupled (e.g., fastened to or integrally attached) with the pants to provide the wearer significant protection from projectiles directed toward critical blood vessels. In other or further embodiments, the pants can include medical treatment devices integrated into the pants construction for readily treating traumatic injuries. For example, the pants can include one or more tourniquet apparatuses.

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The phrases “connected to” and “coupled to” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. Like reference numerals are used for like features throughout this disclosure.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a pair of tactical pants 100. The pants 100 include an outer shell, outer layer, outer construction, or covering 101 that can have the appearance and/or construction of any suitable pants. For example, the covering 101 can resemble standard pant styles. The covering 101 may include one or more standard features, such as pockets 103. The covering can be constructed of any suitable pants material 102, such as combat pants material. Multiple pieces of the pants material 102 can be joined together in any suitable manner, such as via stitching, along seams 104. The material 102 can be flexible or otherwise capable of conforming to or permitting movement of a wearer of the pants 100.

The pants 100 can include a waist portion or waist region 105 that is configured to be worn around a waist of a wearer of the pants so as to support the pants thereon. The waist region 105 can be configured to hang on or support the pants 100 on the waist in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, in order to assist in maintaining the pants on the waist of the wearer, the pants 100 can include a plurality of belt loops 120 positioned along a waistline 109 of the pants 100. The belt loops 120 can be configured to receive a belt 110, which can secure the waistline 109 to the waist of the wearer and thus transfer the weight load of the pants 100 to the waist of the wearer. In other embodiments, suspenders (not shown) may be used to carry the weight load of the pants 100.

Two leg portions or leg regions 106 can extend downwardly from the waist region 105. When the pants 100 are worn, the waist region 105 can bear the weight of the leg regions 106. Each leg region 106 can include an upper leg portion 107 and a lower leg portion 108. The upper leg portion 107 can be configured to encompass an upper leg of a wearer (e.g., a thigh), and the lower leg portion 108 can be configured to encompass a lower leg of the wearer (e.g., a calf).

The covering 101 can include one or more releasable pockets 200. In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable pocket 200 is positioned substantially within the upper leg portion 107 of the leg region 106. A right releasable pocket 200 is depicted in a closed state in FIG. 1 and is depicted in an open state in FIG. 2. Moreover, as can be appreciated from FIG. 3 and additional discussion herein, the illustrated embodiment includes a releasable pocket 200 on the left leg. Other embodiments may include only one releasable pocket 200. In still other embodiments, the pants 100 may not include any releasable pockets.

For those embodiments that do include one or more releasable pockets 200, each pocket 200 may be configured to carry large and/or heavy items that are not conveniently carried in a pocket having a typical cloth construction. As can be appreciated, heavy and/or unconstrained objects contained in a typical pocket may move relative to the wearer's leg and hinder movement of the wearer, possibly quickly damaging the pants, and/or injuring the wearer. One or more of these disadvantages can be alleviated or resolved by the releasable pocket 200 and/or additional features discussed herein.

The releasable pocket 200 may have an outer pocket 211 with similar characteristics to a typical pocket. In some embodiments, the covering 101 of the pants 101, which may include an exterior portion of releasable pocket 200, may be made to appear similar to or substantially imperceptibly different from pants having a known construction, which are not configured for carrying large and/or heavy items. Accordingly, a casual observer may not readily notice or distinguish a difference between the tactical pants 100 and the pants having a known construction. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the pocket 200 may extend outwardly from adjacent portions of the pants 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, the releasable pocket 200 may be opened by decoupling a first closure 212, fastener, connector, or the like from a complementary second closure 213, fastener, connector, or the like. The closures 212, 213 may be constructed of hook and loop segments in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the closures 212, 213 may comprise one or more zipper elements, magnets, snaps, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the closures 212, 213 extend along at least two sides of the pocket 200, which is substantially rectangular in the illustrated embodiment. Accordingly, when the releasable pocket 200 is opened, such that a flap portion thereof can be expanded outwardly and/or folded downwardly, access to features inside the pocket is made considerably easier than can be achieved with a standard pocket having an opening along a single edge.

The releasable pocket 200 may include, or may be configured to house or enclose, a module assembly, utility assembly, or utility module 250, which is discussed further below. In some embodiments, the utility module 250 can include a holster 290 that is configured to receive a firearm.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in certain embodiments, the pants 100 can include one or more integrated tourniquet assemblies 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the pants 100 include an upper tourniquet assembly 500 u and a lower tourniquet assembly 500 l. The upper and lower tourniquet assemblies 500 u, 500 l can be said to be at different longitudinal positions relative to the leg portion 106 of the pants 100, as the leg portion 106 is elongated in a longitudinal direction. The specific positions of the tourniquet assemblies 500 u, 500 l can be strategically predetermined such that the assemblies can be used to constrict or close a critical blood vessel so as to reduce or stop blood flow to a region of a leg of a wearer of the pants 100. A wearer can select the region of the leg at which he or she wishes to constrict the blood flow, which may be accomplished quickly and without removing the pants 100, or in some instance, any portion of the pants 100 generally, or any portion of the leg portion 106. In some embodiments, selection of the area at which a tourniquet is to be applied can be facilitated by having multiple tourniquet assemblies within the leg portion 106. As further discussed below, in some embodiments, a lateral strap device, lateral strap assembly, or lateral strap system 240 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), which can typically be used for supporting a firearm or other utility device against a leg of the wearer, can also be used as a tourniquet assembly. Accordingly, the illustrated embodiment includes three tourniquet assemblies—the assemblies 500 u, 500 l and the lateral strap system 240—which are located at fixed positions relative to the leg portion 106, and which can be used to quickly provide a tourniquet to the leg of the wearer. Although the tourniquet assemblies are at fixed positions relative to the leg portion 106, it is appreciated that in some instances, the wearer may move the tourniquet assembly longitudinally (e.g., up or, in some embodiments, down) relative to his or her actual leg in order to locate the tourniquet assembly at the desired position on the leg.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tourniquet assembly 500 l is configured for rapid deployment in the event of the wearer suffering an injury. The assembly 500 l includes a tourniquet member 501, which can comprise any suitable cord, strap, or other constricting device. In the illustrated embodiment, the tourniquet member 501 comprises a cord having a high strength capacity (e.g., type:550 parachute cord). The tourniquet member 501 passes through a compartment 507 that is at least partially defined by the pants material 102. In the illustrated embodiment, an outer sidewall of the compartment 507 is defined by the pants material 102, and an inner sidewall of the compartment 507 is defined by an additional piece of material (not shown) that is attached to the pants material 102 via stitching 508. In the illustrated embodiment, two lines of stitching 508 are respectively positioned above and below the tourniquet member 501 and run substantially parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the pants material 102 may not directly define a portion of the compartment 507. For example, in some embodiments, a flexible tube or other compartment member may be attached to the pants material 102 in any suitable manner, and the tourniquet member 501 can extend through the tube. In various embodiments, the compartment 507 can extend about at least a majority of a perimeter of the leg portion 106 of the pants 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, an end of the tourniquet member 501 can extend through an opening 130 defined in the pants material 102. A stop 512 can be attached to the end of the tourniquet member 501, which can prevent the tourniquet member 501 from being withdrawn into the compartment 507. The stop 512 can also be conveniently graspable to aid in drawing portions of the tourniquet member 501 from the compartment 507 so as to tighten the tourniquet member 501.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the tourniquet assemblies 500 u, 500 l can each include a protective flap 509, which can cover the opening 130 and the stop 512. In some embodiments, one or more of the tourniquet assemblies 500 u, 500 l can include a torque bar or torque rod 511 that is used in tensioning the tourniquet member 501, as further discussed below. Any suitable number of torque bars 511 may be positioned within the pants 100, as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, each pocket 200 includes a small compartment 510 that retains a torque bar 511 therein. The pocket 200 or other regions of the pants 100 can include other or further compartments for housing other or further utility items.

FIGS. 3-5B and 13 illustrate an embodiment of a weight distribution system or harness 201 that can be integrated into the tactical pants 100. The harness 201 can include a longitudinal strap device, longitudinal strap assembly, or longitudinal strap system 220 and the lateral strap system 240 mentioned above. As discussed hereafter, the longitudinal strap system 220 can be configured to redistribute weight of a utility object in a substantially longitudinal direction (e.g., along a lengthwise direction of a leg of the pants), such that the weight is supported from the waist of a wearer of the pants 100 via the longitudinal strap system 220. The lateral strap system 240 can be configured to redistribute weight in a substantially lateral direction (i.e., in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction). For example, the lateral strap system 240 can be configured to support weight against a leg of a wearer of the pants 100. In some embodiments, the harness 201 may include only one of the strap systems 220, 240.

FIG. 3 shows the harness 201 with the pants material 102 hidden from view, but outlined in broken lines for reference. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the harness 201 can distribute weight from an object contained in the releasable pocket 200 to the wearer by constraining the object to the wearer's leg using the lateral strap system 240, and can distribute weight vertically up to the waist region 105 of the pants 100 via the longitudinal strap system 220. The utility module 250 can be configured to retain a utility object, such as a firearm or other large and/or weighty item. For the sake of clarity, the utility module 250 is shown only in part in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the utility module is shown without a holster for retaining a firearm (such as the holster 290 discussed with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11), or without a utility pouch for retaining any other suitable item or items (such as that discussed with respect to FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 4, the utility module 250 can be at an interior of the releasable pocket 200. The utility module 250 can be attached to the pants material 102 in any suitable manner, such as via the stitches 229. In some embodiments, in order to enhance the comfort of the wearer, a pad or a liner 202 (see also FIG. 3) can be positioned at an inner surface of, or interiorly relative to, the utility module 250. The liner 202 can comprise any suitable material, and may provide a cushioning effect in some embodiments. The stitches 229 may pass through a portion of the utility module 250, the liner 202, and the pants material 102 in order to couple the utility module 250 to the pants material 102. As further discussed below, in the illustrated embodiment, the stitches 229 additionally pass through a portion of the longitudinal strap system 220 so as to couple the utility module 250 to the longitudinal strap system 220. Such a coupling is relatively direct, as the same stitching is used to tightly attach the components to each other. In other embodiments, the coupling of the utility module 250 and the strap system 220 may be more indirect. For example, the utility module 250 may be coupled to the pants material 102 via a first set of stitching or other fasteners, and the longitudinal strap system 220 may be coupled to the same or about the same area of the pants material 102 via a second set of stitching or other fasteners.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5B, the longitudinal strap system 220 can include an upper strap 228 and a lower strap 226. The upper and lower straps 228, 226 can be selectively coupled to each other and selectively decoupled from each other via a buckle 223 or any other suitable device. In the illustrated embodiment, the buckle 223 includes an upper connector 225 and a lower connector 224. Stated otherwise, the buckle 223 can allow the upper strap 228 to be connected to or disconnected from the lower strap 226, which is mechanically attached to utility module 250.

As previously discussed, the lower strap 226 can be attached to the pants material 102 via the stitches 229, or in any other suitable manner. The stitches 229 may mechanically couple the lower strap 226 to the utility module 250. The position at which the lower strap 226 is attached to the pants material 102 may be referred to as a lower anchor region 232.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower strap 226 passes through the lower connector 224 and then is doubled back on and fixedly attached to itself. Accordingly, the lower strap 226 does not provide any adjustability to a length of the longitudinal strap system 220.

The upper strap 228 can be attached to the pants material 102 via any suitable fastening system. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper strap 228 is attached to the waist portion 105 of the pants 100 via a first set of stitches 121 and a second set of stitches 122. The upper strap 228 is looped over an upper end of the pants material 102 so as to pass from an interior of the pants material 102 to an exterior thereof. The exterior end of the upper strap 228 is attached to an interior portion of the upper strap 228 via the stitches 121. This arrangement forms a belt loop 204, which can receive the belt 110 so as to transfer weight to the belt 110. The belt loop 204 is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The second set of stitches 122 can attach an interior portion of the upper strap 228 to an upper end of the pants material 102, and can provide a further connection between the upper strap 228 and the waist region 105. The position at which the upper strap 228 is attached to the pants material 102 may be referred to as an upper anchor region 230.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper strap 228 passes through a tensioning portion 227 of the upper connector 225. A proximal end of the upper strap 228 is free and is graspable by a wearer of the pants 100. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper strap 228 can be advanced through the tensioning portion 227 of the upper connector 225 in opposite directions so as to adjust the position of the upper connector 225 relative to the upper end of the pants 100. The tensioning portion 227 of the upper connector 225 can maintain the upper connector 225 at the position to which it has been moved. The upper connector 225 may also be referred to as a tensioning member.

Movement of the upper connector 225 in the manner just described can alter a length of the longitudinal strap system 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a relatively small proximal portion of the upper strap 228 may be available for grasping, such that the longitudinal strap system 220 is relatively long when the connectors 224, 225 are coupled with each other. With the connectors 224, 225 coupled, the free end of the strap 228 can be pulled so as to advance the upper connector 225 upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5B. This can effectively reduce the length of the longitudinal strap system 220, and can increase the tension in the straps 226, 228. A wearer of the pants 100 thus can adjust a length of the longitudinal strap system 220, as desired. The adjustment may alter an amount of the weight of the utility module 250, and the weight of any utility object retained thereby, that that the waist portion 105 and/or the belt 110 bears. The longitudinal strap system 220 can be used to redistribute at least a portion of the weight of the utility module 250, and any utility object retained thereby, from the pants material 102 to the straps 226, 228.

The portion of the longitudinal strap system 220 that is not connected to the pants material 102 may be referred to as an unconnected segment 234 of the longitudinal strap system 220. The unconnected segment 234 can include the portions of the upper and lower straps 228, 226 that extend between the upper and lower anchor regions 230, 232. The unconnected segment 234 is separate from the pants material 102, and thus, in many instances, a length of the unconnected segment 234 can be adjusted without affecting a length of any neighboring portion of the pants material 102. This may be particularly so where the unconnected segment 234 is slack, and the length of the unconnected segment 234 is adjusted to reduce or eliminate the slack.

As previously discussed, the strap 228 may form the belt loop 204, which can be supported by the belt 110, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Any suitable belt 110 is possible. With reference to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the belt 110 includes a pair of complementary connectors 111, 112 that interconnect as a buckle. A portion of the belt 110 can be pulled through the buckle so as to tighten the belt 110 to the torso of the wearer, and the belt can thereby support the strap 228.

In various embodiments, one or more strength properties of the straps 226, 228 are greater than those of the pants material 102. For example, a fabric material used in the straps 226, 228 can be configured to stretch less than the pants material 102 would under an equivalent load. In some embodiments, the straps 226, 228 comprise nylon webbing.

With reference to FIG. 4, a portion of the releasable pocket 200 may be attached to the pants material 102 via stitches 120, or by any other suitable fastening system. As previously discussed, other portions of the releasable pocket 200 (e.g., a top edge and at least a portion of a side edge), can be coupled to the pants cloth via the closures 212 and 213.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a portion of the lateral strap system 240 can be positioned within the releasable pocket 200 and can encompass or extend about the utility module 250, as discussed further below. The lateral harness 240 can extend through the liner 202 and the pants material 102 into an interior of the leg portion of the pants 100. The portion of the lateral strap system 240 that is at an interior of the pants 100 can be independent of or unattached to the pants material 102. A wearer of the pants can insert a leg through the lateral strap system 240, and may adjust a length of the lateral strap system 240 as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, adjustment of the length of the lateral strap system 240 can occur independently of, or without affecting, the shape or contour of the pants material 102. Stated otherwise, a perimeter defined by the lateral strap system 240 can be altered without altering a perimeter defined by a neighboring portion of the pant leg. Such an arrangement can allow for adjustment of the lateral strap system 240 without bunching the pants material 102. This can provide comfort to the wearer and may avoid visual indications that the wearer is carrying a large or heavy object in the pants 100. However, in other embodiments, the lateral strap system 240 may not be operative independently of the pants material 102. For example, in some embodiments, the pants material 102 may define at least a portion of a compartment through which the lateral strap system 240 is threaded, which may resemble the tourniquet assemblies 500 discussed above.

As previously discussed, the utility module 250 may be used to hold a variety of devices, depending on the preferences of the wearer. The utility module 250 may be configured to quickly or readily interchange the type of device that is held within the pocket 200.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a module assembly 250 for carrying utility items that can be quickly attached and detached from the tactical pants 100. FIG. 6 depicts a base, or an inner bracket 260, and a mount, or an outer bracket 280, that are connected together. The inner bracket 260 can be mechanically attached to the liner 202 and/or pants material 102 of the tactical pants 100 in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner bracket 260 includes through holes 261 through which any suitable fastener can be advanced, such as the stitching 229 discussed above, rivets (not shown), or any other suitable devices. The inner bracket 260 can define a slot 262. The slot 262 may include two widened regions 267 that extend outwardly relative to a narrow region 268.

The outer bracket 280 can include protrusions 282, which may include knob or disk-like extensions 288 that extend laterally outward from a narrow post 287. The extensions 288 can be sized to fit into the widened regions 267 of the slot 262, yet can be too large to be removed from the narrow region 268 of the slot 262. Accordingly, the outer bracket 280 can be coupled to the inner bracket 260 by introducing the extensions 288 into the widened regions 267 of the slot 262. The outer bracket 280 can be slid downward so as to advance the extensions 288 into proximity with the narrow region 268 of the slot 262, which can retain the outer and inner brackets 280, 260 in a coupled configuration.

In certain embodiments, the brackets 260, 280 may include a system for further assisting in maintaining the coupled configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, quick release pins 263 of the inner bracket 260 can be introduced into the holes 283 of bracket 280 to lock the assembly together. Resilient tabs 264 can be depressed so as to translate the pins 263 out of the holes 283 to release bracket 280 from the bracket 260.

The outer bracket 280 can include through holes 284 and/or slots 285 for coupling a utility object retaining device thereto. Any suitable fastening mechanisms may be used to attach the retaining device to the outer bracket 280. For example, stitching, adhesives, screws, magnets, and/or rivets may be used. Two examples of retaining devices that may be coupled with an outer bracket 280 are provided in FIGS. 10-12, as discussed hereafter.

FIG. 10 illustrates a holster 290 coupled with the outer bracket 280. The holster 290 may have a holster back 291 and a holster front 292. The holster 290 is attached to the outer bracket 280 by stitching 297 through the holster back 291 and stitching holes 284. FIG. 11 illustrates the utility of the holster module 290 with a firearm 295 positioned in the pocket formed between the holster back 291 and holster front 292.

FIG. 12 illustrates a utility pouch 298 that can be used to retain any suitable utility item. The utility pouch 298 can be mounted to the bracket 280 in any suitable manner.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the module assembly 250 can be used to retain a utility object within the pocket. The lateral strap system 240 may be used to support the module assembly 250, and any utility object retained thereby, against a leg of a wearer of the pants 100. Examples of lateral strap systems 240 are provided in FIGS. 13-15, as discussed immediately hereafter. With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lateral strap system 240 can pass through the liner 202 and the pants material 102 at two separate locations. As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the lateral strap system 240 can be exposed when the releasable pocket 200 is in the open orientation. In various embodiments, the exposed portion can extend, for example, about the holster 290 or the utility pouch 298, depending on the construction of the module assembly 250. In some embodiments, the exposed portion can be used to adjust a length and/or adjust a tension of the lateral strap system 240.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the lateral strap system 240 that is compatible with the harness 201 of FIGS. 3 and 4. A length of or perimeter defined by the lateral strap system 240 can be adjusted, which can adjust a tension of the strap system 240 about the leg of a wearer. In various embodiments, the lateral strap system 240 can be positioned so as to support the module assembly 250 against a thigh of the wearer. Any suitable mechanisms may be used to selectively adjust the lateral strap system 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap system 240 includes a loop 245 and a strap 242 that is advanced through the loop 245 and doubled back on itself. The strap 242 includes complementary attachment features or connectors 248, 249 that face each other so as to couple with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 248, 249 comprise complementary strips of hook and loop fastener material. Other suitable connectors 248, 249 are also possible, such as snaps, clamps, belt holes, catches, etc. A proximal end 246 of the strap 242 can be pulled so as to place the strap system 240 under tension around the leg of the wearer. In some embodiments, the proximal end 246 of the strap 242 is accessible to a wearer of the pants 100 via the pocket 200 (see FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, the strap system 240 includes a first strap 241 formed of a first material, and the strap 242 is formed of a second material. The first and second materials can have different elastic and/or extensibility properties. In some embodiments, the material of the first strap 241 can comprise a material that does not significantly stretch along its length, such as, for example, nylon webbing. The second strap 242 can comprise, for example, an elastic or resiliently deformable material. The first material of the first strap 241 thus may be less extensible than the second material of the second strap 241. The elastic material of the second strap 242 can be configured to maintain a substantially constant tension in the lateral strap system 240 as small changes arise in the overall length of the strap system 240. The elastic material thus can permit the strap system 240, which can be tensioned about a leg of a wearer, to maintain a relatively constant tension, even as a perimeter length of the lateral strap system 240 changes to conform to changes in the perimeter of the leg due to, for example, muscle activity. In some embodiments, a 1 inch change in the length of the relatively flexible or elastic second strap 242 can result in a change in the tension of the lateral strap system 240 that is within a range of from about 1 to about 20 pounds, from about 1 to about 10 pounds, or from about 1 to about 5 pounds, or that is no less than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 20 pounds, or that is no greater than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, or 20 pounds. The tension in the strap system 240 can be adjusted by decoupling the connector 249 from the connector 248, repositioning the proximal end 246 of the strap 242 relative to a more distal region thereof, and re-coupling the connectors 248, 249.

In view of the foregoing, a portion of the lateral strap system 240 may be defined as a support region 244 s, and another portion of the lateral strap system 240 may be defined as an expansion region 244 e. The support region 244 s can generally contact the leg of a wearer and maintain a tension therewith so as to support the utility module against the leg. The expansion region 244 e can resiliently expand and contract so as to maintain the tension at a relatively constant level, or stated otherwise, so as to keep the tension within a narrow range. The expansion region 244 e may be particularly helpful when the lateral strap system 240 operates in a supporting mode, such as just described.

The expansion region may function in a different manner, or may not be used at all, when the lateral strap system 240 is used in a tourniquet mode. That is, in some embodiments, the lateral strap system 240 may be used as a tourniquet. For example, in various embodiments, one or more of the utility object that is retained by the utility module 250 and/or the bracket 280 and any items attached thereto may be removed from the pocket 200. The proximal end 246 of the strap 242 may be pulled so as to tighten the lateral strap assembly 240 and reduce blood flow to the lower leg. The strap 241 and/or the strap 242, whether together or individually, can act as a tourniquet member.

In some embodiments, the resiliently flexible strap 242 is pulled taut so as to substantially reach a stretching limit. The straps 241, 242 may thereafter maintain a substantially constant tension to reduce blood flow to the lower portions of the leg. In other embodiments, the resiliently flexible strap 242 may be pulled out of the way, and the relatively inelastic strap 241 may be advanced through loop 245. Accordingly, only the tension that is in the strap 241 may be used to reduce the flow of blood to the lower portions of the leg. In either case, additional fastener portions 248, 249 may be positioned on one or more of the straps 241, 242 so as to permit a greater portion of the lateral strap system 240 to be pulled through the loop 245 and fastened in place to maintain the higher tension thus achieved.

In some embodiments each of the straps 241 and 242 comprises an elastic material. In other embodiments, each of the straps 241, 242 comprises a relatively inextensible material. In still further embodiments, the lateral strap system 240 may include a unitary strap, which does not include separate expansion and support regions 244 e, 244 s.

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate another embodiment of a lateral strap system 240′ that is compatible with the harness 201. The lateral strap system 240′ can include a tensioning locking assembly 310 that can be used to obtain a higher tension that that which may be achieved merely by manually gripping the distal end portion 246 of the strap 242. The locking assembly 310 includes a rotatable column 313 having an outer perimeter. A portion of the outer perimeter is smooth, while another portion thereof includes grips 312. The rotatable column 313 is selectively rotatable via a lever 311 that is connected thereto. The locking assembly 310 further includes a bracket 314.

In operation, the locking assembly 310 permits the strap 242 to freely travel between the smooth side of the column 313 and the bracket 314. Once a high tension has been manually achieved, the lever 311 can be rotated away from the bracket 314, which causes the grips 312 to engage the strap 242 and advance it through the locking assembly 310 even further, thus increasing the tension in the strap system 240′. The lever 311 may any suitable components, such as, for example, springs or detents (not shown) to lock the displaced lever 311 in place and thus maintain strap tension. The locking assembly 310 may include other and/or additional components to prevent the lever from being inadvertently or prematurely rotated from the initial state. These various components can include, for example, one or more clasps, ratchets, tabs, detents, fasteners, and hooks. The locking assembly 310 thus can assist a wearer to achieve a high, substantially fixed tension, due to the mechanical advantage of the lever and its locking capabilities. Other suitable arrangements are also possible for the locking assembly 310, such as, for example, standard ratcheting systems.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a person P wearing protective shorts, body armor, or ballistic-resistant shield 600 around his lower torso and upper leg region. The ballistic-resistant shield 600 provides protection around critical blood vessels from one or more ballistic projectiles B traveling toward the person P. An example of a critical blood vessel V is the femoral artery, as injury to this artery may quickly cause significant injury or death. In some embodiments, the ballistic-resistant shield 600 creates a sleeve that fully encompasses the critical blood vessel V, providing 360-degree protection (along a horizontal plane) when the person P is upright. Stated otherwise, an arbitrary or predetermined horizontal line in a horizontal plane may extend through the critical blood vessel V when the person P is upright. The ballistic-resistant shield 600 may protect the critical blood vessel V from ballistic projectiles B that approach the critical blood vessel V along a trajectory that is within an angle A₁ relative to the horizontal line. In the illustrated embodiment, the value of the angle A₁ over which the ballistic-resistant shield 600 will provide protection to the vessel V is 360 degrees. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the ballistic resistant shield 600 can fully encompass a femoral artery along at least a portion of the length of the femoral artery.

While the full 360 degree protection can be desirable, some embodiments of the ballistic-resistant shield 600 can limit mobility of the person P. Accordingly, in some embodiments, mobility-increasing features are employed with the ballistic-resistant shield 600. For example, as further discussed below, in some embodiments, the ballistic-resistant shield 600 extends around only a strategically determined segment of the critical blood vessel V. In other or further embodiments, the ballistic-resistant shield 600 can include one or more mobility seams that provide increased mobility without sacrificing protection, or without significantly increasing vulnerabilities.

The protective garment 600 is constructed of ballistic-resistant armor 615 that can comprise any suitable ballistic-resistant material. For example, in various embodiments, the ballistic-resistant material comprises para-aramid synthetic material (e.g., Kevlar®), which may also be referred to herein as an aramid material. The term aramid fiber, as used herein, may describe the fiber itself, the woven fiber, or a composite of layers of woven fiber. In some embodiments, the ballistic-resistant armor comprises a plurality of aramid synthetic woven fiber layers that are attached together as a composite to increase the level of ballistic protection. In some embodiments, the ballistic resistant armor 615 may be a composite of aramid woven fiber layers sandwiched between the pants material and a protective or comfort-providing liner or layer, such as, for example, faux-suede liner.

As is commonly known, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has developed standards that define the level of threat protection by a protective garment. In various embodiments, the protective garment 600 provides protection from threat level IIA or greater, threat level II or greater, threat level IIIA or greater, or threat level III or greater under NIJ Standard 0101.06, July 2008. Threat level IIA is tested with 9 mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets with a specified mass of 8.0 grams (124 grains) and a velocity of 373 m/s±9.1 m/s (1225 ft/s±30 ft/s) and with .40 S&W Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets with a specified mass of 11.7 g (180 gr) and a velocity of 352 m/s±9.1 m/s (1155 ft/s±30 ft/s). Threat level II is tested with 9 mm FMJ RN bullets with a specified mass of 8.0 g (124 gr) and a velocity of 398 m/s±9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s±30 ft/s) and with .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullets with a specified mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and a velocity of 436 m/s±9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s±30 ft/s). Threat level IIIA is tested with .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets with a specified mass of 8.1 g (125 gr) and a velocity of 448 m/s±9.1 m/s (1470 ft/s±30 ft/s) and with .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets with a specified mass of 15.6 g (240 gr) and a velocity of 436 m/s±9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s±30 ft/s). Threat level III is tested with 7.62 mm FMJ, steel jacketed bullets (U.S. Military designation M80) with a specified mass of 9.6 g (147 gr) and a velocity of 847 m/s±9.1 m/s (2780 ft/s±30 ft/s).

FIGS. 18-20 depict another embodiment of a pair of tactical pants 700 having a ballistic-resistant shield 710, which may also be referred to as a flak saddle 710, sewn into the crotch region of the pants. The tactical pants 700 can resemble the pants 100 described above, and in some embodiments, may vary from the pants 100 only with respect to the inclusion of a flak saddle 710 therein. The flak saddle 711 may be stitched or otherwise attached to an interior of the pants 700.

The flak saddle 710 may have vents 711 in the ballistic material that are small so to prevent penetration by a projectile B, but are large enough to allow air to flow through the material to keep the wearer comfortable. As shown in FIG. 20, the flak saddle 710 may provide only a strategic segment of protection around the critical blood vessel V. This may provide protection for a significant range of threats from projectiles directed toward the critical blood vessel V, while increasing mobility of the person P, as compared to certain full-sleeve protection garments. In some embodiments, the flak saddle 710 provides a range A₂ of protection around the critical blood vessel V that is no less than about 25, 35, 45, 50, 60, 75, 80, 90, 100, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, or 180 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the flak saddle 710 is incorporated into the pants 700, a leg portion of the saddle 710 can cover at least a portion of an internal perimeter of the leg region of the pants 700. This internal coverage can extend longitudinally along an upper portion of the leg region of the pants 700 (see FIG. 19). In various embodiments, the leg portion of the saddle 710 covers no less than one quarter, one third, or one half of the internal perimeter of the leg region of the pants 700.

FIGS. 21-22 depict another embodiment of a pair of tactical pants 800 that include a ballistic-resistant shield 810, which can be attached to the pants by fasteners 811 and 812. In some embodiments, the fasteners may be a zipper or hook-and-loop material segments. In other or further embodiments the ballistic-resistant shield 810 may be sewn into the tactical pants 800. Additional material layers (e.g., a liner) may also be sewn into the pants 800 at an interior of the ballistic-resistant shield 810 to provide comfort to the wearer.

FIG. 23A is a cross-sectional view of the pants 800 of FIG. 22, which shows that a portion of the lateral strap system 240 extends through the ballistic-resistant shield 810 into an interior of a leg portion of the pants 800. In further embodiments, the outer pocket 200 may have anti-ballistic material attached at an interior side thereof. In certain of such embodiments, the lateral strap system 240 can feed through the liner 202 into the pocket 200. A wearer of the pants 800 can be less vulnerable to ballistic projectiles passing through the openings via which the lateral strap system 240 feeds into the pocket 200 due to the presence of the anti-ballistic material in the pocket.

FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional view of a flexible four-layer composite construction, or composite material 620. By using a composite material 620 that is composed of thin layers of ballistic-resistant cloth, the garment construction can have increased flexibility to provide fewer impediments to the wearer's movement. To achieve increased level of ballistic protection, the layers 611, 612, 613, and 614 are intermittently bound together by stitching 619 to form a ballistic-resistant armor 615, which may also be referred to as a ballistic-resistant screen, sheet, shield, panel, or pad 615. One or more of the layers 611, 612, 613, and 614 can comprise a woven aramid fiber.

FIGS. 24 and 25 depict portions of the ballistic resistant armor 615 used in construction of the ballistic-resistant shield 810. Stitching 619 in various orientations is used to bind the woven fiber layers (e.g., 611, 612, 613, 614) together to achieve higher levels of ballistic protection. In some embodiments, the stitching 619 orientations and spacing can be optimized to provide a high degree of ballistic protection while allowing flexibility for movement of the wearer. An adhesive (not shown) may also be used to cause the aramid fiber layers to work together as a composite structure for increased protection. In various embodiments, spacing between adjacent stitches may be no greater than about 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 inches.

FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield 910 that can be integrated into any of the tactical pants described herein. The ballistic-resistant shield 910 can include a leg section 920, a waist or pelvic section 930, and a groin section 940. The various sections 920, 930, 940 are overlapping so as to provide flexible or mobility seams 630 at the anatomical joints of the wearer. The illustrated seam 630 is discussed below with respect to FIG. 28. Other suitable arrangements of seams are discussed with respect to FIGS. 29-34. One or more of the seam configurations can be used in any suitable combination with any suitable ballistic-resistant shield 910. The seams can increase mobility of the wearer, as bending or other movement can occur more readily at the seams than at other portions of the composite materials. In some embodiments, the ballistic resistant shield 910 can include an access flap 942, which in further embodiments, may be selectively sealed closed.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flexible four-layer composite construction 620, such as that described above with respect to FIG. 23B. Seams such as described hereafter may be used with composite constructions 620 having more or fewer layers.

FIG. 28 illustrates a flexible seam 630 that uses overlapping regions of ballistic-resistant armor 615 that slide relative to one another but do not allow a vulnerable path through the material. The dexterity seam 630 can have an overlap length L₁ of 0.1 in to 6 inches that will change based on the hip joint position but an overlap length will remain during most common placements of the wearer's hip position. A width or region of any of the seams discussed herein can be within a range of from about 0.1 to about 6 inches, or can be no greater than about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, or 1 inches.

FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seam 631 in the ballistic resistant armor 615. Instead of carrying all for layers across the seam 631, folds 641, 642 are placed in the layers and secured with stitching 619. A gap between the folds 641, 642 may be relatively narrow, and in some cases the folds 641, 642 overlap each other. In various embodiments, the gap is no greater than about 0.1, 0.2, or 0.25 inches. The folds 641, 642 may extend along fold lines. In the illustrated embodiment, the fold lines are not shown, as they extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. The upper two layers of the composite material 615 are discontinuous at the seam 631. The upper two layers of a portion of the composite material 615 that extend to the left of the seam 631 are formed by a single sheet of anti-ballistic material that is folded over on itself. Likewise, the upper two layers of the portion of the composite material 615 that extends to the right of the seam 631 are formed by a single sheet of anti-ballistic material that is folded over on itself.

FIG. 30 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seam 632 in a ballistic resistant armor 615. Instead of carrying all for layers across a flexing region of the material, folds 651, 652 are placed in the upper layers, which are secured with stitching 619. Moreover, the lowest layer of anti-ballistic material is discontinuous at the seam 632. Two separate pieces of material 653, 654 either abut one another, slightly overlap each other, or are spaced a small distance apart from each other at the seam 632. Any gap between the folds 651, 652 and any gap between the adjacent lower layers 653, 654 can desirably be small. In various embodiments, each of the gaps is no greater than about 0.1, 0.2, or 0.25 inches across.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seam 633 in the ballistic resistant armor 615. The seam 633 can resemble the seam 631 described above, except that folds 661, 662 are formed in the intermediate layers, rather than the upper layers, and the folds 661, 662 are sandwiched between continuous sheets of ballistic-resistant material.

FIG. 32 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seam 634 in the ballistic resistant armor 615. Instead of carrying all four layers across a flexing region of the material, folds 671, 672 are placed in the upper two and lower two layers, respectively, and are secured with stitching 619. The folded materials are separated by two layers of continuous material. The upper two and lower two layers overlap in the region of the seam 634 such that four layers of ballistic-resistant material are present on either side of the seam 634, and six layers of ballistic-resistant material are present in the region of the seam 634. It may be said that, in the region of the seam 634, a line that is perpendicular to an outer surface of the uppermost layer of ballistic-resistant material passes through at least four layers of ballistic-resistant material. In this embodiment, the line passes through six layers.

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seams 635 in a composite construction in the ballistic resistant armor 615. Instead of carrying all for layers across the seam 635, folds 682, 683 are placed in a single layer 686 of material, that the material is secured with stitching 619 to a base layer 685. The base layer 685 provides the material with flexibility and the folded layer 686 increases the protection level to the wearer.

FIG. 34 illustrates another embodiment of a flexible seam 636 in a composite construction of the ballistic resistant armor 615. Instead of carrying all for layers across a flexing region of the material, folds 691, 692 are placed in folded layers 611, 612 and secured with stitching 619 back onto themselves. A second resiliently deformable elastic stitching 695 allows the folds to open up like an accordion and then retract with changes in the wearer's anatomy.

FIGS. 35-36 illustrate an embodiment of a ballistic-resistant shield 950 that can be integrated into any suitable embodiment of tactical pants described herein. Kinetic panels 952 are placed in pockets or openings configured in the ballistic resistant garment 950. The panels 952 act to disburse the kinetic energy of a projectile 82. The kinetic panels 852 may be constructed of a dense but lightweight material, such as, for example, carbon fiber, and can be secured to a flexible anti-ballistic layer (e.g., an aramid blend) via stitching, adhesive, etc. In other embodiments, the kinetic panels 852 may remain freely detached from the flexible anti-ballistic layer, and may be placed in pocket-like openings constructed in the ballistic-resistant shield 950.

FIGS. 37A-37E illustrate an embodiment of a tourniquet assembly 500 that is integrated with a pair of tactical pants 100. The tourniquet assembly 500 can resemble either of the tourniquet assemblies 500 u, 500 l discussed above. Tourniquets at the knee and shin areas may be strategically located relative to the wearer's anatomy in special compartments of the tactical pants. Upon sustaining an injury the user can deploy the tourniquet 500 immediately. In some embodiments the tourniquet assemblies 500 are located approximately three inches above and three inches below the knee. A tourniquet member 501, such as a cord, may have an extremely high strength capacity. As shown in the method stages depicted in FIGS. 37A-37E, the ends of the cord 501 can be pulled through the openings 130. A knot can be tied in the ends of the cord 501. A torque rod 511 can be inserted behind the knot and then rotated to twist the knotted cord and thereby put tension on cord 501. The torque rod 511 can then be secured in place until further medical assistance can be obtained.

FIG. 38 depicts a front elevation view of an embodiment of a ballistic protective garment 1100, which may comprise a ballistic-resistant shield 1110. The ballistic protective garment 1100 and the ballistic-resistant shield 1110 can resemble similarly named and numbered features discussed above. Accordingly, certain like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “11.” Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the garment 1100 and shield 1110 may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the garment 1100 and shield 1110. Any suitable combination of the features and variations of the same described with respect to the shields discussed above (e.g., the shield 910) can be employed with the shield 1110, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter, wherein the leading digits may be further incremented.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ballistic protective garment 1100 comprises a pair of stretch pants or stretch shorts that can closely or snugly conform to a portion of the legs of a wearer W of the ballistic protective garment 1100. For example, in some embodiments, the ballistic protective garment 1100 can fit similarly to a pair of sport shorts, and may be worn under an outer pair of pants. As further discussed below, the ballistic protective garment 1100, which may also be referred to as stretch pants 1100, can provide the wearer W with protection from ballistic projectiles. The stretch pants 1100 may be more restrictive to the movements of the wearer than a pair of sport shorts, given the stiffer nature of ballistic resistant materials contained therein or otherwise coupled therewith. However, certain embodiments include joint regions and/or other expandable or stretchable features that increase the mobility of the wearer W of the stretch pants 1100.

The stretch pants 1100 can include one or more pieces of a stretchable material 1102. For example, in some embodiments, a base or frame of the stretch pants 1100 can be formed of one or more pieces or panels of stretchable material 1102 that are joined together at one or more seams (e.g., stitched seams). The stretch pants 1100 can further include one or more pockets 1104 used in conjunction with removable and replaceable ballistic panels or pads 1115 (see, e.g., FIGS. 40 and 41). In certain embodiments, the one or more pieces of stretchable material 1102 can define at least a portion of the one or more pockets 1104.

The ballistic protective stretch pants 1100 can protect the lower torso and upper leg region of the wearer W. The protective garment 1100 can provide protection around critical blood vessels from ballistic projectiles B traveling toward the wearer W. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 38, a critical blood vessel V is the femoral artery. The blood vessel V is critical in that to this artery may quickly cause significant injury or death. In some embodiments, the ballistic protective stretch pants 100 provide protection from all directions of projectiles traveling horizontally toward a wearer standing on the ground along a majority of the length of the femoral artery. Other embodiments, may provide protection for a smaller radial range, in manners such as discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, the ballistic panels or pads 1115 may extend about no greater than about ¼, ⅓, ½, ⅔ of a perimeter of a leg section of the ballistic protective stretch pants 1100. Other radial ranges of protection are also contemplated, such as no less than about ¼, ⅓, ½, or ⅔ of the perimeter of one of more of the leg sections of the ballistic protective stretch pants 1100.

The ballistic-resistant pads 1115 may also be referred to as ballistic-resistant armor, screens, sheets, shields, or panels, and they can resemble and/or incorporate any of the ballistic-resistant armor 615 arrangements discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the ballistic-resistant pads 1115 comprise a laminate or composite 1120 (see FIG. 39) of ballistic resistant layers that may be in the form of, for example, a plurality of para-aramid synthetic woven fiber layers that are joined together in any suitable manner. For example, the synthetic woven fiber layers may be joined by one or more seams of any suitable variety, such as stitches, welds, adhesives, etc. In certain embodiments, the laminate 1120 may comprise multiple layers of para-aramid synthetic material has a molecular formula of [—CO—C₆H₄—CO—NH—C₆H₄—NH—]_(n). The term aramid fiber, as used herein, may be describing the fiber itself, the woven fiber, or a composite of layers of woven fiber. In some embodiments of the ballistic-resistant pads 1115, additional or further layers of aramid fibers can be used together as a composite to increase the level of ballistic protection.

As described elsewhere herein, the National Institute of Justice has standards that define the level of threat protection by a protective garment by the caliber of a bullet, the velocity of the bullet, and the distance of travel. In various embodiments, the ballistic resistive stretch pants 1100 can have a threat protection that exceeds the NIJ 0101.03 standard level I or greater. For example a threat level I protection may be defined as protection will protect a wearer from bullets and fragments with a velocity and weight comparable to a .38 caliber pistol round weighing 158 grains and moving at 850 feet per second. In other or further embodiments the protective garment exceeds the NIJ 0101.03 standard level II or greater. In still other or further embodiments, the protective garment exceeds the NIJ 0101.03 standard level III or greater. Different levels of ballistic threat protection ballistic pads 1115 can be configured for use within the stretch pants 1100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the laminate 1120 is formed by sewing together the four layers of para-aramid synthetic woven fiber, in a manner similar to the layers 611, 612, 613, and 614 discussed above with respect to FIG. 27. Other methods to form the laminate 1120 are contemplated, such as by using other known sewing methods, adhesives, mechanical attachments, or even a matrix of solid or semi-solid carrier with the fiber layers embedded that may be flexible or stiff.

In various embodiments, aramid fiber layers are bendable and can be cut and formed into garment like configurations similar to cloth materials. However, the fibers can be extremely strong and may not stretch in the plane of the fiber direction with normal loading caused by anatomical movements of a wearer. To compensate or allow for this stiffness, which could limit the mobility of the wearer W, certain embodiments disclosed herein include arrangements that permit separate ballistic pads 1115 to shift or move past one another. In some arrangements, the shifting may occur in joint regions of the stretch pants 1100 that correspond with the joint regions of the wearer W (e.g., hip joint regions). In other or further arrangements, expansion or other shifting or movement is permitted in other regions, which may permit muscle flexion, as discussed further below. Any suitable number of ballistic pads 1115 may be used as needed or desired, and in some embodiments, many, most, or all of the ballistic pads 1115 may overlap adjacent ballistic pads 1115 to prevent access points for a ballistic projectile. In various arrangements discussed below, the stretch pants 1100 can be configured such that adjacent ballistic pads 1115 remain in an overlapping configuration regardless of the amount of stretching the pants undergo during normal wear and use.

As previously mentioned, the stretch pants 1100 can be configured to maintain a close fit with the wearer W, which can maintain the ballistic pads 1115 in close proximity to the skin S of the wearer W. With reference to FIG. 39, the ballistic protective stretch pants 1100 position the ballistic pad 1115 a distance of no greater than D from the skin S of the wearer W. In various embodiments, the distance D is no greater than ¼, ½, or ¾ inches. In still other or further embodiments, the maximum distance D that any portion of a ballistic pad 1115 is spaced from the skin S of the wearer W is no greater than ¼, ½, ¾, or 1 inch about a full perimeter of a leg section and or waist section of the stretch pants 1100. In still other embodiments, the distance D may be less than one fourth of an inch. In other embodiments, the distance D may be less than one eighth of an inch.

In some embodiments, maintaining a close proximity between the ballistic pads 1115 and the skin of the wearer W can be advantageous. For example, in some instances, ballistic resistance can be affected by the amount of external support around the laminate 1120 material structure. Draped ballistic resistant laminates hanging at a significant distance in front of a wearer W may, in some instances, cause a projectile B to significantly deform the laminate prior to impacting the wearer W and potentially partially or totally penetrating the laminate prior to impacting the wearer W. However, with the laminate positioned closer to the wearer W, improved energy dissipation of the projectile B into the laminate 1120 may be achieved by supporting the laminate 1120 at the impact site, and also by supporting the regions adjacent to or encompassing the impact site, with the anatomy of the wearer W.

FIG. 40 illustrates that in some embodiments, the ballistic protective stretch pants 1100 can be positioned closely to the skin of the wearer, as just described, over a full 360 degrees of protection around a critical blood vessel V in a leg of the wearer W. Stated otherwise, one or more ballistic pads 1115 may be positioned above an entirety of a full periphery of the leg of the wearer W. Since the muscles contract and expand when the wearer W is mobile, the closely positioned garment may limit the wearer's mobility due to the stiffness of the ballistic pads 1115. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the stretch pants 1100 include overlapping pockets 1104 a, 1104 b, 1104 c that are coupled to and/or at least partially defined by one or more layers of the stretchable fabric 1102 that extend about the periphery of the leg. Each pocket retains therein a separate ballistic pad 1115. Accordingly, the ballistic pads 1115 are capable of shifting relative to each other to permit a periphery of the stretch pants 1100 to expand as the periphery of the leg expands, such as due to muscle movement. Moreover, the stretchable fabric 1102 can be elastically resilient, such that when a stretching force no longer acts on the stretch pants 1100, the stretchable fabric 1102 can return to its unstretched state. In such a manner, the stretch pants 1100 can expand and contract with the expansion and contraction of the leg to maintain close contact and/or proximity with the skin of the leg. This likewise can keep the ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 b, 1115 c in close proximity to the skin.

Stated otherwise, a leg portion of the stretch pant 1100 can include stretchable fabric 1102 and multiple pockets 1104 a, 1104 b, 1104 c that are coupled to the stretchable fabric 1102. These pockets 1104 a, 1104 b, 1104 c may contain and position overlapping ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 b, 1115 c around the wearer's leg. In the illustrated embodiment, the ballistic pads include a right pad 1115 a, a left pad 1115 b, and a front pad 1115 c. In some embodiments the overlapping ballistic pads provide continuous protection around a portion of a leg of the wearer. As the muscles of the wearer expand and contract with movement, the highly stretchable material causes significantly less restriction and discomfort but maintains the position of the ballistic pads in close proximity to the leg of the wearer. The pockets may be formed on the inside or the outside of the material 1102 of the leg of the stretch pants 1100. The pockets may overlap each other on the same side of the leg of material 1102 to cause the ballistic pads to overlap and move relative to each other, as discussed further below.

Only three sets of pockets 1104 and pads 1115 are shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, more or fewer sets of pockets 1104 and pads 1115 are possible. In some instances a greater number of sets of pockets 1104 and pads 1115 than those shown in FIG. 40 can facilitate flexing of the wearer's muscles. For example, due to the relative stiffness of the pads 1115, when the pads are smaller and relatively more mobile relative to adjacent pads 1115, it can be easier to move the pads merely by moving or flexing the leg. Other suitable numbers and arrangements of pads are possible. Moreover, whereas FIG. 40 depicts multiple overlapping pads that are radially offset relative to each other (e.g., are spaced about the periphery of the leg, or are laterally spaced apart), in other or further embodiments, multiple sets of overlapping pads may also extend in the longitudinal direction (e.g., in a direction parallel to a leg bone). Any desired number of pockets and pads are contemplated.

FIG. 41 shows ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d being inserted into pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d, respectively. The pad 1115 d may be referred to as a rear pad and the pocket 1104 d a rear pocket. In the illustrated embodiment, the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d are removable from the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d. In particular, the upper ends of the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d may remain open when the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d are placed therein. In certain of such embodiments, an upper end of one or more of the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d may protrude through the upper openings. In some instances, the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d may be retained in the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d by tension or stress forces as the pants 1100 are worn. Stretching of the expandable material can serve to retain the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d in the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d. In other embodiments, the upper ends of the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, 1104 d can include selectively releasable fasteners (e.g., snaps, hook-and-loop fastener) to selectively retain the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d. In certain embodiments, the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d can be removed for washing the remaining portion of the garment separately. In other or further embodiments, one or more of the pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d can be swapped our or replaced by one or more other pads 1115 a, 1115 c, 1115 d of generally the same size and/or shape, but of a different level of threat protection. In still other or further embodiments, removability of the pads can allow for replacing a damaged ballistic pad. In some embodiments, the ballistic pads can be configured for specific uses such as for higher threat levels for frontal protection and lower level threats or no protection for rearward protection. In still other embodiments, the pads may be permanently attached to the stretchable or other materials that define the pockets. For example, the pads may be sewn into the garment 1100.

FIG. 42A shows an illustrative cross-sectional view of the ballistic protective stretch pants 1100 prior to being stretched, or stated otherwise, in a natural or unstretched state. The rounded contour that exists due to conformation about the leg of the wearer W (such as shown in FIG. 40) has been eliminated or flattened for the sake of clarity in the present discussion. As previously noted, the stretch pants 1100 include one or more pieces of stretchable material 1102. Any suitable stretchable material is contemplated, such as 2-way stretch or 4-way stretch fabrics. In various embodiments, the stretchable material 1102 can include spandex (or elastane) or any other suitable stretch fabric (or elastomeric). In the illustrated embodiment, the stretch pants 1100 includes an additional piece of stretchable material 1103, which may also be referred to herein as a base stretchable material 1103. In various embodiments, one or more of the pieces of material 1102, 1103 may have the same or different properties. For example, in some embodiments, the material 1102 may be less expandable than the material 1103, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the material 1102 may not be stretchable or expandable, whereas the material 1103 is stretchable.

The base 1103 can cooperate with each of two separate pieces of stretch material 1102 to define the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c. The pockets 1104 a, 1104 c overlap each other at their intermediate ends. The separate ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c are retained within the pockets 1104 a, 1104 c, respectively. The pockets 1104 a 1104 c and their respective ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c are located on opposite sides of the base stretch material 1103. The ballistic pads overlap 1115 a, 1115 c such that edges 1116 a, 1116 c thereof are spaced from each other by a distance of L₁ when the stretch pants 1100 are in the configuration shown in FIG. 42A, and the length of the base stretch material 1103 that forms a portion of the pocket 1104 a is L₂. In some embodiments the ratio of L₂ to L₁ may be from 3 and 30. In other embodiments, the ratio may be from 5 to 10. Other suitable ratios are contemplated.

FIG. 42B shows the stretch pants 1100 in a stretched configuration, which can be achieved by any suitable stretching force (as depicted by the oppositely directed large arrows). The stretching force may be applied by the flexing of a leg muscle, as described above, or in any other suitable manner, such as may occur during normal use of the stretch pants 1100. As the base stretch material 1103 extends, the ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c maintain an overlap distance (e.g., a distance between their edges 1116 a, 1116 c) of L₃, and the length of the base stretch material 1103 that defines a portion of the pocket 1104 a is L₄. In some embodiments the ratio between L₄ in FIGS. 42B and L₂ in FIG. 42A may be between 1.05 and 3. In other embodiments, the ratio may be between 1.05 and 1.5. In other embodiments the stretch material 1103 comprises any suitable stretchable fabric that extends beyond 5% of its original length.

In some embodiments, the stretched configuration shown in FIG. 42B represents a maximum amount by which the base material 1103 will stretch, such as under normal use conditions for the stretch pants 1100. Accordingly, the length L₃ between the edges 1116 a, 1116 c of the ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c may represent a minimum distance that is achievable between the edges during normal use of the stretch pants 1100. This may, for some embodiments, also represent the absolute maximum amount by which the base material 1103 will stretch, such as without failing. In any of the foregoing embodiments, an arrangement such as shown in FIG. 42B can ensure that at least some overlap exists between the ballistic pads 1115 a, 1115 c, even at maximum stretching, to provide full coverage to the wearer W.

There are many garment cloth stretch materials available to provide an elastic fit to the wearer and position the ballistic pads closely. In one embodiment the stretch material 1103 is constructed from 85% nylon and 15% elastane (polyurethane-polyurea copolymer commonly referred to as spandex). In other embodiments, the ratio of highly elastic fibers to less elastic fibers in the stretch fabric can be configured to provide the desired stretch properties and performance.

FIG. 43A shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of ballistic protective stretch pants 1200 prior to being stretched, similar to FIG. 42A. The stretch pants 1200 include a base stretch material 1203 that defines at least a portion of oppositely facing pockets 1204 a, 1204 c, each of which retains a ballistic pad 1215 a, 1215 c, respectively. The stretch pants 1200 further include positioning, locating, or attachment features 1261 that attach or otherwise orient the ballistic pads 1215 a, 1215 c relative to the base stretch material 1203.

FIG. 43B shows the same embodiment in a stretched condition. As the material is cyclically stretched during movement by the wearer, the positioning feature 1261 maintains the position of the ballistic pads 1215 a, 1215 c to prevent the pads from separating and causing vulnerability to projectiles potentially impacting the wearer between the ballistic pads. One or more of the positioning features 1261 can comprise hook-and-loop segments attached to both the stretch material 1203 and the ballistic pads 1215 a, 1215 c. Other types of locating features are contemplated, including snaps, ties, buttons, and other types of mechanical fasteners. One or more of the positioning features 1261 may allow for temporary or selective attachment between the stretch material 1203 and the ballistic pads 1215 a, 1215 c, in some embodiments. In other or further embodiments, one of more of the positioning features 1261 may provide a permanent attachment between the stretch material 1203 and the ballistic pads 1215 a, 1215 c.

FIG. 44A shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of ballistic protective stretch pants 1300 prior to being stretched. The stretch pants 1300 include pockets 1304 a, 1304 c that are formed by a base stretch material 1303 and multiple pieces of stretch material 1302 that partially overlap adjacent pieces. The multiple pieces of stretch material 1302 are attached to base stretch material 1303. The pockets 1304 a, 1304 c retain ballistic pads 1315 a, 1315 c. The pockets 1304 a, 1304 c are located on the same side of the base stretch material 1303. The ballistic pads 1315 a, 1315 c initially overlap by a distance of L₅. The initial length of the base stretch material 1303 that defines a portion of the pocket 1304 c is L₆. In some embodiments the ratio between L₆ and L₅ may be between 3 and 30. In other embodiments, the ratio may be between 5 and 10.

FIG. 44B shows the same embodiment of FIG. 44A, but in a stretched configuration. As the base stretch material 1303 extends, the ballistic pads maintain an overlap distance of L₇ and the length of the base stretch material 1303 under the pocket 1304 c is L₈. In some embodiments the ratio between L₈ in FIGS. 8B and L₆ in FIG. 8A may be between 1.05 and 3. In other embodiments, the ratio may be between 1.1 and 1.5. In other embodiments it is any stretchable fabric that extends beyond 5% of its original length.

In some embodiments, arrangements such as depicted in FIGS. 44A and 44B may be relatively comfortable to a user. For example, the base stretch material 1303 may be positioned adjacent to the skin of the user, and may be relatively smooth, or less bumpy, due to overlapping pads 1315.

FIGS. 45-46 illustrated another embodiment of a ballistic protective stretch pants 1400, which includes pockets 1471 to carry kinetic panels 1472. In the illustrated embodiment, the pockets 1471 are formed by material 1405 that cooperates with stretch material 1402 to define cavities for receiving the kinetic panels 1472. In some embodiments, the material 1405 may be stretchable. In the illustrated embodiment, the stretch pants 1400 include separate pockets 1404 for retaining ballistic pads 1415. However, in other embodiments, the kinetic panels 1472 may be fitted into the same pockets 1404 that are used to house the ballistic pads 1415. The kinetic panels 1472 act to disburse the kinetic energy of a projectile B2. The kinetic panels 1472 may be constructed of a dense but lightweight material such as carbon fiber and secured to the aramid blend via stitching, adhesive, or remain freely detached from the aramid fiber but placed in pocket like openings constructed in the ballistic protective stretch pants 1400. These kinetic panels used in conjunction with the ballistic pads can be configured in the ballistic protective stretch pants 1400 to provide a desired level of ballistic protection.

FIG. 47 depicts another embodiment of ballistic protective pants 1500. In the illustrated embodiment, the pants 1500 are not circumferentially stretchable. Since the muscles contract and expand when the wearer is mobile, the closely positioned garment may limit the wearer's mobility and also cause discomfort because a pad 1515 with a continuous perimeter might not stretch well due to the high strength fibers used to provide ballistic protection. To increase comfort level for the wearer W, the perimeter of the pants 1500 can be enlarged, but this may also hamper movement of the wearer and/or provide greater distance between the skin S of the wearer W and the pad 1515. This may, in some instances, reduce the protection that can be provided from the ballistic projectile B, as discussed further above.

Although much of the foregoing discussion has focused on embodiments related to pants, it is to be understood that other garments may benefit from certain features described herein. For example, as shown in FIG. 48, in some embodiments a ballistic protection shirt 1600 may include one or more features disclosed above, such as overlapping pads (shown in broken lines) in joint regions of the shirt and/or in other regions, such as circumferentially about the bicep.

With simultaneous reference to FIGS. 41 and 48, the pants 1100 and the shirt 1600 may be referred to generally as ballistic protective garments. Each garment 1100, 1600 includes a trunk section 1190, 1690 and a plurality of limb sections 1192, 1692 that extend away from the trunk section 1190, 1690. The trunk section 1190, 1690 meets the limb sections 1192, 1692 at joint regions (such as discussed above with respect to FIG. 26). Each trunk section 1190, 1690 and each limb section 1192, 1692 can include one or more ballistic resistant pads (e.g., the pads 1115 a, 1115 c in FIG. 41). The pads can overlap each other in the joint regions. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 41 and 48 and the discussion above, the pads are movable relative to one another such that a distance between the edges of the pads changes as the limb section 1192, 1692 is moved relative to the trunk section 1190, 1690.

In much the same manner as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 42A and 42B in the context of peripheral expansion and contraction, the limb section 1192, 1692 can be movable relative to the trunk section 1190, 1690 to achieve a minimum distance between the edges of overlapping pads. The pads can continue to overlap one another when this minimum distance is achieved. In some embodiments, this minimum distance is achieved when a longitudinal axis 1193, 1693 of the limb section 1192, 1692 is within a given angle of being parallel to a longitudinal axis 1191, 1691 of the trunk section 1190. In various embodiments, the angle is no greater than about 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 degrees. Interactions among overlapping pads, as just described, is possible, for example, with the rear pad 1115 d and the right side pad 1115 a in FIG. 41, in certain embodiments. Any of the alternative arrangements depicted in FIGS. 42A-44B and discussed with respect thereto is possible in the joint regions.

Certain embodiments of ballistic protective clothing can include elastically resilient material. Ballistic pads can be coupled with the material such that the pads are movable relative to each other. The pads can remain in an overlapping arrangement over large ranges of motion. In some embodiments, the overlap can be present in any possible orientation of the clothing while it is being worn.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of the terms “about” or “approximately.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where qualifiers such as “about,” “substantially,” and “generally” are used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence of their qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantially rectangular” is recited with respect to a feature, it is understood that in further embodiments, the feature can have a precisely rectangular orientation.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow are also expressly incorporated into the present written description. These additional embodiments are determined by replacing the dependency of a given dependent claim with the phrase “any of the preceding claims up to and including claim [x],” where the bracketed term “[x]” is replaced with the number of the most recently recited independent claim. For example, for the first claim set that begins with independent claim 1, claim 3 can depend from either of claims 1 and 2, with these separate dependencies yielding two distinct embodiments; claim 4 can depend from any one of claim 1, 2, or 3, with these separate dependencies yielding three distinct embodiments; claim 5 can depend from any one of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, with these separate dependencies yielding four distinct embodiments; and so on.

Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. Elements specifically recited in means-plus-function format, if any, are intended to be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §112(f). Embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows. 

1. A ballistic protective garment comprising: an elastically resilient material; a first pocket coupled with the elastically resilient material; a second pocket coupled with the elastically resilient material; a first ballistic-resistant pad retained in the first pocket, wherein the first ballistic-resistant pad defines a first edge; and a second ballistic-resistant pad retained in the second pocket, wherein the second ballistic-resistant pad defines a second edge, wherein the elastically resilient material is configured to be moved by a stretching force from a first orientation to a second orientation to move the first and second pockets relative to each other, wherein a minimum distance between the first and second edges of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads is achieved when the elastically resilient material is in the second orientation, and wherein the elastically resilient material is configured to automatically return from the second orientation to the first orientation when the stretching force is no longer present, wherein portions of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads overlap each other when the elastically resilient material is in the first orientation, and wherein different portions of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads overlap each other when the elastically resilient material is in the second orientation.
 2. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the elastically resilient material defines at least a portion of each of the first and second pockets.
 3. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second pockets are at the same side of the elastically resilient material.
 4. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second pockets are at opposite sides of the elastically resilient material.
 5. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads comprises a plurality of layers of ballistic-resistant material attached together into one or more composite materials.
 6. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads comprises a laminate of a plurality of synthetic material fiber layers.
 7. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the elastically resilient material is configured to elastically stretch in at least one direction by at least 5 percent relative to a relaxed state of the elastically resilient material.
 8. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads at least partially protrudes from the respective first and second pockets.
 9. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads is selectively retained within the respective first or second pocket via tension provided at least in part by the elastically resilient material so as to be selectively removable from the respective first or second pocket.
 10. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment features in one or more of the first and second pockets that attach one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads to the elastically resilient material.
 11. The ballistic protective garment of claim 10, wherein the one or more attachment features are selectively attachable and releasable to permit selective removal of one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads from one or more of the first and second pockets.
 12. The ballistic protective garment of claim 10, wherein the one or more attachment features permanently attach one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads to the elastically resilient material.
 13. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first ballistic-resistant pad is fully enclosed within the first pocket and the second ballistic-resistant pad is fully enclosed within the second pocket.
 14. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the elastically resilient material is sized to snugly fit a wearer of the ballistic protective garment such that the stretching force that moves the elastically resilient from the first orientation to the second orientation is provided by the flexing of a muscle that is at an interior of the ballistic protective garment.
 15. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein the elastically resilient material is sized to snugly fit a wearer of the ballistic protective garment such that independent of a flexed or a non-flexed state of a muscle that is at an interior of the ballistic protective garment, at least a portion of each of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads are maintained at a distance from skin of the wearer that is at an interior of the ballistic protective garment by no more than about one half inch.
 16. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, further comprising a third ballistic-resistant pad that provides a different level of protection from ballistic projectiles than does the first ballistic-resistant pad, wherein the first ballistic-resistant pad is selectively retained in the first pocket, and wherein the third ballistic-resistant pad is configured to be selectively retained in the first pocket as a replacement for the first ballistic-resistant pad.
 17. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads comprises woven aramid fiber.
 18. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads comprises at least four layers of woven aramid fiber.
 19. The ballistic protective garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads is sufficiently ballistic resistant to provide ballistic protection of at least level IIA, as classified by the National Institute of Justice Standard 0101.06 of July 2008, such that the pad can protect a femoral artery of a wearer of the pants from 9 millimeter Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose bullets weighing 8.0 grams and moving at 373 meters per second, plus or minus 9.1 meters per second.
 20. Ballistic protective shorts comprising: an elastically resilient material forming a leg of the shorts; a first pocket coupled with the elastically resilient material; a second pocket coupled with the elastically resilient material at a position that is radially offset relative to the first pocket, wherein portions of the first and second pockets overlap; a first ballistic-resistant pad retained in the first pocket, wherein the first ballistic-resistant pad defines a first lateral edge elongated in a longitudinal direction; and a second ballistic-resistant pad retained in the second pocket, wherein the second ballistic-resistant pad defines a second lateral edge elongated in a longitudinal direction, wherein the elastically resilient material is configured to be moved by a stretching force from a first orientation to a second orientation to move the first and second pockets relative to each other, wherein a minimum distance between the first and second lateral edges of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads is achieved when the elastically resilient material is in the second orientation, and wherein the elastically resilient material is configured to automatically return from the second orientation to the first orientation when the stretching force is no longer present, wherein portions of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads overlap each other when the elastically resilient material is in the first orientation, and wherein different portions of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads overlap each other when the elastically resilient material is in the second orientation. 21-38. (canceled)
 39. A ballistic protective garment comprising: a trunk section that comprises a flexible material; a limb section that comprises a flexible material and extends away from the trunk section, wherein the limb section meets the trunk section at a joint region; a first ballistic-resistant pad coupled to the flexible material of the trunk section, the first ballistic-resistant pad defining a first edge; and a second ballistic-resistant pad coupled to the flexible material of the limb section, the second ballistic-resistant pad defining a second edge, wherein the first and second ballistic-resistant pads overlap one another at the joint region and are movable relative to one another such that a distance between the first and second edges of the first and second ballistic-resistant pads changes as the limb section is moved relative to the trunk section. 40-56. (canceled) 